Grid girls will no longer be used from the start of the 2018 F1 World Championship.

Story highlights

Formula One will stop the use of grid

"Custom does not resonate with our brand values"

CNN  — 

Formula One has announced it will end the practice of using “grid girls,” starting from the first race of the 2018 World Championship in March.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Sean Bratches, the managing director of F1, said the “custom does not resonate with our brand values.”

The new season begins on March 25, with the first grand prix being held in Melbourne, Australia.

“Over the last year we have looked at a number of areas which we felt needed updating so as to be more in tune with our vision for this great sport,” Bratches said.

lotus 72d tease image for video
The top five all-time F1 car designs
02:13 - Source: CNN

READ: Copenhagen GP plan “excites” F1 boss

“Grid girls” are generally used to promote brands and sponsorship deals, while they are also occasionally used during the presentation of trophies on the podium.

“While the practice of employing grid girls has been a staple of Formula One for decades, we feel this custom does not resonate with our brand values and clearly is at odds with modern day societal norms,” Bratches continued.

“We don’t believe the practice is appropriate or relevant to Formula 1 and its fans, old and new, across the world.”

STUTTGART, GERMANY - DECEMBER 12: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and 2015 F1 World Champion waves to the crowd before the first round of races in the Mecedes-AMG A 45 of the Stars and Cars event at Mercedes-Benz Arena on December 12, 2015 in Stuttgart, Germany.  (Photo by Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images)
'It's crazy that I have four world titles'
03:36 - Source: CNN

The decision comes four days after the Professional Darts Corporation also announced it would no longer be using “walk-on girls” to accompany men onto the stage.